How to Roast a Prime Rib at 500 Degrees in the Oven

Dawn Gibbs

Prime rib is a cut of beef also known as a standing rib roast. Cooking a prime rib in the oven does not require a roasting rack, unlike other forms of roasts. If you have a gas oven, you can cook the roast at 500 degrees without lowering the temperature, until you turn the oven off. With an electric oven, you begin cooking the prime rib at 500 degrees to caramelize it, and then lower the temperature to get a more tender result.

Gas Oven

Step 1

Remove the prime rib from the refrigerator and let it stand for three hours. Leave the butcher paper on the meat. This brings the entire roast to room temperature, ensuring even cooking.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Pat the outside of the prime rib dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the prime rib with salt, pepper, garlic, or any other spices your recipe calls for.

Step 4

Put the prime rib into a roasting pan with the fatty side facing up. Place the roasting pan into the oven and let it cook at 500 degrees for 5 minutes per pound of meat. Turn the oven off and let the prime rib sit in the oven for two hours. Leave the oven door closed. After two hours, the roast will be medium-rare.

Electric Oven

Step 5

Remove the prime rib from the refrigerator and let it sit out for three hours so it comes to room temperature. Pat it dry and season the prime rib as you prefer.

Step 6

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. If you have digital controls on your electric oven, wait until it alerts you that the inside of the oven has reached the correct temperature. If not, let it preheat for 30 minutes.

Step 7

Lay the seasoned prime rib in a roasting pan fatty side up and insert it into the oven. Let it cook at 500 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F.

Step 8

Let the prime rib cook at 325 for 15 minutes per pound of meat. Remove it from the electric oven and cover the prime rib with aluminum foil. Leave it on the counter to rest for 20 minutes before carving.